How Do I Obtain Privileges to Operate an Aircraft at Night?

Regulation Text

New section effective October 22, 2025 (Amendment 61-159). Sport pilots may now act as pilot in command during night operations when the following requirements are met.

You may act as pilot in command with a sport pilot certificate during night operations if you:

(a) Receive 3 hours of night flight training in the specific category and class from an authorized instructor that includes—

(1) Conduct at least one cross-country flight during the flight training under paragraph (a) of this section at night, with a landing at an airport of at least 25 nautical miles from the departure airport, except for powered parachutes; and

(2) Accomplish at least 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop at night;

(b) Either hold a medical certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter or meet the conditions of § 61.113(i) and the operation is conducted consistent with this section. Where the requirements of § 61.316 conflict with § 61.113(i), a sport pilot must comply with § 61.316; and

(c) Receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor certifying that you meet the training requirements in paragraph (a) of this section and are proficient in the operation of the aircraft at night in the category and class which the sport pilot seeks privileges.

Research Notes

Authoritative Sources

Docket FAA-2023-1377, Amdt. 61-159, 90 FR 35215 (July 24, 2025) — The rulemaking that created § 61.329. This amendment represents a significant expansion of sport pilot privileges that had been restricted to daytime operations since the sport pilot rule was established in 2004. The final rule is available at Federal Register Vol. 90, No. 141.
§ 61.113(i) — The BasicMed provision. Allows pilots who hold or have held a medical certificate to operate under a BasicMed CMEC (Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist) rather than a standard Part 67 medical. Sport pilots flying at night must qualify under either Part 67 OR § 61.113(i) BasicMed — the standard driver's license medical substitute does not apply to night operations.
§ 61.316 — Performance limits and design requirements for aircraft eligible for sport pilot operations. The conflict resolution clause in § 61.329(b) establishes that where § 61.316 and § 61.113(i) conflict, § 61.316 controls.
14 CFR § 1.1 — Defines "night" as the period beginning one hour after sunset and ending one hour before sunrise (local time).

Regulatory Context

Prior to October 22, 2025, sport pilots were prohibited from night operations. Amendment 61-159 added § 61.329 as a new section, granting sport pilots the ability to fly at night under specific training and medical conditions. This is one of the most substantive expansions of sport pilot privileges since the original 2004 rule.

The 10 takeoffs and 10 landings requirement is higher than what private pilots face (3 takeoffs/landings within 90 days to carry passengers at night). This reflects the regulatory intent to ensure sport pilots have thorough night currency before exercising PIC privileges.

The medical requirement is a deliberate restriction: the standard sport pilot "driver's license medical" substitute does not qualify for night operations. This aligns night-flying sport pilots with the medical standards applicable to private pilots operating at night.

CFI Commentary

Highlighted phrases in the regulation text above link to instructor notes at the bottom of this page. Look for the amber or blue highlights — each one flags a gotcha or a pro tip worth knowing.

Amendment History

2025-07-24

§ 61.329 created as a new section. Prior to this amendment, sport pilots had no authority to act as PIC during night operations. The amendment adds night flying as an optional privilege requiring specific training, medical qualification, and logbook endorsement.

2025-10-22

§ 61.329 became effective October 22, 2025. The July 24, 2025 Federal Register publication established the rule; October 22, 2025 is the compliance date when sport pilots may begin acting as PIC at night.

AOA Notes

These notes correspond to the highlighted phrases in the regulation text above. Each one flags something worth knowing — a common misread, a checkride gotcha, or a practical pro tip.

Gotcha: Your driver's license medical doesn't work for night flying

This is the one that trips people up. Sport pilots normally use a valid U.S. driver's license as a substitute for a medical certificate. That works great for daytime operations. But at night, the rules change. To fly as PIC at night with a sport pilot certificate, you need either a Part 67 FAA medical (any class — 3rd, 2nd, or 1st) or you must qualify under BasicMed (§ 61.113(i)), which requires a prior history of holding a medical certificate and a periodic evaluation by a state-licensed physician. The driver's license option simply doesn't apply to night operations. Before you plan a night flight, confirm which medical pathway you're on.

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Pro Tip: The endorsement is category- and class-specific — and it doesn't carry over automatically

Night privileges for sport pilots are specific to the category and class in which you trained. Get endorsed for night flight in a powered parachute and that endorsement doesn't transfer to a weight-shift-control aircraft or an airplane. If you add another category or class later, plan to get a separate night endorsement for it. Your instructor certifies proficiency in a specific aircraft type — not night flying in general.